The Kundapura police in Udupi district arrested five persons who were trying to sell four stolen idols of Jain Tirthankaras near Kotilingeshwara temple at Koteshwara on Saturday.
A team of policemen went to the village following a tip-off about attempts to sell antique idols. The police arrested Nevil Wilfy Mascherenhas, 36, Anil Potrado, 34, Austin Sequeira, 28, John, 57, and Anila, 45. They have been booked under Section 379 (theft) of the IPC and Section 25 of the Antiques and Art Treasure Act, 1972.
Udupi Superintendent of Police Lakshman Nimbargi said the accused claimed that they got the idols while excavating the earth for constructing a swimming pool at their resort in Mangaluru. But police would have to verify the story.
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The police seized four idols, a cash-counting machine, four mobile phones and a car from the group.